Yoga Alliance Guidelines - How to Manage COVID-19 (the coronavirus)

Last Updated: April 2020

Online Learning for ALL RYSs, Yoga Community, Consumers

Be 'vigilant' but don't panic

What can people do to protect themselves and others from getting the coronavirus

With CoVid-19 Coronavirus coming to our communities, we have to prioritize staying rational, keeping calm, strengthening our immune systems all while being vigilant by taking precautions that keep viruses from spreading.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which the World Health Organization (WHO) just described as a pandemic.The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person, between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

This health emergency has understandably caused concern and anxiety amongst the yoga community members. While we cannot eliminate all threats to the community, we can take preventative steps to minimize risk.

Yoga Alliance International remains vigilant and wants to share ways in which to practice meticulous health and hygiene habits to promote the safe teaching and practice of yoga. As with any situation, we advise the community to remain calm, stay informed, be prepared, and communicate.

We have compiled resources primarily from two credible sources which we recommend and encourage our members and the broader yoga community to consult on a regular basis for the most up-to-date information and guidance, given how quickly the information on this situation is evolving:

Online Learning for Registered Yoga Schools

In light of COVID-19, Yoga Alliance International is making a temporary provision to allow its schools to offer contact hours in any of the five Educational Categories in a virtual format during currently-active teacher trainings from March 16 until July 30th 2020, effective immediately.

We request that schools make every attempt to deliver virtual training(s) LIVE, so as to replicate their in-person training(s) as much as possible.

To leverage this temporary provision and offer some of your teacher training (s) virtually during this time period, please email Customer Services with the name of your RYS, the dates of your training program overall, specifically the dates of the portions of the training to be offered virtually, and the total amount of contact hours you will be delivering virtually with no restriction on Educational Category. Customer Service will respond and confirm your plans for temporary virtual training delivery in order to document that your RYS is still in compliance with our Standards during this unique time.

If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early

Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.

Cover coughs and sneezes

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.

Throw used tissues in the trash.

Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Maintain social distancing

Maintain distance as advised by the Government of Australia

Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease